Grief's Unyielding Grip

Beth Jones's life is defined by the death of her older sister, Rachel. Her parents, paralyzed by fear and grief, try to control every aspect of Beth's life, believing that strict rules will keep her safe. Their home is a shrine to Rachel, and Beth feels invisible, suffocated, and desperate for freedom. The family's inability to move on traps Beth in a cycle of resentment and longing, setting the stage for her search for meaning and connection outside her family's walls.

One Night, One Stranger

In a bid for independence, Beth sneaks out to a party in a neighboring town. There, she meets Chase, a mysterious and magnetic stranger. Their chemistry is immediate and intense, leading to a night of impulsive intimacy. For Beth, it's a moment of rebellion and self-discovery, but she has no idea that this encounter will unravel her world and force her to confront the deepest wounds in her family and herself.

The Unforgivable Secret

The next day at school, Beth is shocked to discover that Chase is not just the new kid—he's Charles Donnelly, the boy who killed her sister in a car accident three years ago. The revelation is shattering. Beth is torn between horror, guilt, and a strange, persistent connection to Chase. Their secret threatens to destroy her already fragile relationships with her parents, friends, and her own sense of self.

Schoolyard Ghosts and Scars

As word spreads about Chase's past, the school turns against him—and by association, Beth. Gossip, bullying, and ostracism become daily realities. Beth's friends, especially Scarlett and Jeff (Rachel's ex-boyfriend), pressure her to join their campaign to have Chase expelled. The school's hostility mirrors the unresolved grief and anger in Beth's home, leaving her isolated and desperate for understanding.

The Boy Behind the Crime

Despite everything, Beth is drawn to Chase's quiet strength and vulnerability. She learns about his time in juvenile detention, his fractured family, and the crushing guilt he carries. Chase is not the monster everyone believes him to be; he is haunted, remorseful, and trying to rebuild his life. Their tentative friendship deepens as they share their pain and secrets, challenging Beth's black-and-white view of justice and forgiveness.

Forbidden Connections

Beth and Chase begin meeting in secret, finding solace in each other's company. Their connection is a lifeline for both, but it comes at a steep cost. Beth's parents tighten their grip, her friends turn on her, and the town's judgment grows harsher. The more Beth tries to carve out a space for herself and Chase, the more she risks losing everything she's ever known.

The Weight of Guilt

Beth is consumed by guilt—not just for loving Chase, but for surviving when Rachel did not. Her parents' grief becomes a weapon, used to control and shame her. Chase, too, is trapped by guilt, believing he deserves every punishment the world throws at him. Their relationship is both a refuge and a source of pain, as they struggle to forgive themselves and each other.

Family Walls, Family Wars

Beth's rebellion escalates as her parents' surveillance intensifies. They remove her bedroom door, monitor her phone, and sabotage her attempts at independence. The family's inability to communicate or heal festers into explosive confrontations. Beth's longing for freedom clashes with her parents' fear, pushing her to the brink of breaking away for good.

The Cost of Rebellion

Beth's defiance leads to more severe punishments—loss of her car, job, and volunteer work. Her attempts to find comfort in parties and risky behavior only deepen her sense of alienation. A dangerous encounter with Jeff, who reveals his own dark side, exposes the toxic undercurrents in Beth's social circle and the dangers of unresolved trauma.

The Town Turns Hostile

When a prank at school is blamed on Chase, the community's anger boils over. Beth's defense of Chase makes her a target, and her parents consider legal action to keep him away. The town's need for a scapegoat mirrors the family's need to blame someone for Rachel's death, highlighting the destructive power of collective grief and fear.

The Truth About Jeff

Jeff, once seen as the golden boy, is revealed to be controlling and abusive. His relationship with Rachel was not as perfect as it seemed, and his anger and possessiveness contributed to the tragedy. When Jeff attacks Beth, the truth about his character and his role in Rachel's final night emerges, forcing everyone to confront uncomfortable realities.

Breaking Points and Betrayals

Beth's friends abandon her, swayed by rumors and their own fears. Scarlett, manipulated by Jeff, turns against Beth, leaving her utterly alone. The betrayals cut deep, but they also force Beth to reevaluate who she can trust and what she truly values. In the aftermath of Jeff's assault, Beth's parents are forced to see the consequences of their actions and the dangers lurking closer to home.

Choosing Sides

Refusing to be defined by her sister's death or the town's judgment, Beth publicly acknowledges her relationship with Chase. She stands up to her parents, her friends, and the community, choosing honesty and love over fear and shame. This act of courage marks a turning point, as Beth begins to reclaim her life and her future.

The Power of Forgiveness

Beth and Chase confront the past together, acknowledging the pain they've caused and endured. Beth's mother, recognizing Chase's remorse and humanity, offers forgiveness, while her father struggles to let go of his anger. The process is messy and incomplete, but it opens the door to healing for everyone involved.

One Small Thing

Inspired by Chase's philosophy of focusing on "one small thing" each day, Beth learns to find gratitude and meaning in small acts of kindness, moments of connection, and steps toward independence. This shift in perspective helps her move beyond grief and guilt, embracing the possibility of happiness and growth.

Healing and Hope

With time, therapy, and honest conversations, Beth's family begins to heal. The shrine to Rachel is dismantled, and the family starts to live in the present rather than the past. Beth's friendships are rebuilt on new terms, and she finds purpose in her work with animals and her plans for the future.

Iowa Awaits

Beth leaves for college at Iowa State, determined to become a veterinarian and build a life on her own terms. The distance from Darling offers a fresh start, free from the shadows of Rachel's death and the town's judgment. Beth's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and hope.

Love After Loss

At college, Beth is reunited with Chase, who has also found a measure of peace and forgiveness. Their love, forged in pain and tested by adversity, endures. Together, they look toward a future shaped not by tragedy, but by the small, everyday acts of courage, kindness, and love that make life worth living.

Characters

Beth Jones

Beth is a seventeen-year-old girl suffocated by her parents' grief and control after her sister's death. She is intelligent, restless, and desperate to reclaim her life. Beth's journey is one of self-forgiveness and growth, as she learns to assert her own needs and desires in the face of overwhelming guilt and external judgment. Her relationship with Chase forces her to confront the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness, ultimately leading her to choose hope over fear.

Charles "Chase" Donnelly

Chase is the boy responsible for Rachel's death, recently released from juvenile detention. He is quiet, introspective, and burdened by remorse. Chase's struggle is internal—he believes he deserves punishment and is wary of happiness. His connection with Beth is both a source of healing and pain, as he grapples with the possibility of forgiveness and a future beyond his crime. Chase's philosophy of focusing on "one small thing" each day becomes a lifeline for both himself and Beth.

Rachel Jones

Rachel's death is the axis around which the story revolves. She is remembered as perfect, but glimpses of her flaws and struggles emerge through Beth's memories and Jeff's revelations. Rachel's legacy is both a burden and a source of inspiration, shaping the choices and identities of those she left behind.

Beth's Mother (Marnie Jones)

Marnie is paralyzed by the loss of her eldest daughter, channeling her pain into rigid rules and rituals. Her inability to let go of Rachel creates a prison for Beth, but over time, she begins to recognize the damage this causes. Through therapy and honest confrontation, Marnie moves toward acceptance and a more open relationship with Beth.

Beth's Father (Dave Jones)

Dave's grief manifests as anger and a need for control. He is quick to punish and slow to forgive, especially when it comes to Chase. His journey is one of gradual, painful acceptance, as he learns to let go of his need for vengeance and trust in Beth's resilience.

Scarlett Holmes

Scarlett is Beth's closest friend, but her loyalty is tested by fear, peer pressure, and her relationship with Jeff. She is both a source of comfort and betrayal, reflecting the complexities of adolescent friendship. Scarlett's own struggles with self-worth and independence mirror Beth's journey.

Jeff Corsen

Once Rachel's boyfriend and the town's favorite son, Jeff is revealed to be controlling, manipulative, and ultimately dangerous. His inability to process grief and rejection leads to violence and abuse, exposing the dark side of the town's idealization of the past.

Sandy Bacon

Sandy runs the animal shelter where Beth volunteers. She provides a space for Beth to find purpose and comfort, encouraging her love for animals and her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Sandy represents the possibility of healing and growth outside the confines of family and school.

Macy and Yvonne

Macy and Yvonne are part of Beth's friend group, embodying the shifting allegiances and judgments of adolescence. Their reactions to Beth's choices highlight the power of gossip, conformity, and the struggle to maintain individuality in a judgmental environment.

Mrs. Stanton (Chase's Mother)

Mrs. Stanton is supportive but limited in her ability to help Chase. Her remarriage to the mayor offers stability, but she is haunted by her son's past and the town's refusal to forgive. Her interactions with Beth and Chase reveal the challenges of loving someone who is both victim and perpetrator.

Plot Devices

Dual Trauma and Parallel Healing

The novel uses the parallel experiences of Beth and Chase—one as the survivor, the other as the perpetrator—to explore the complexities of trauma, forgiveness, and healing. Their relationship is both a catalyst for growth and a reflection of their internal struggles, allowing the narrative to delve deeply into the psychological aftermath of tragedy.

Small-Town Judgment and Ostracism

The town of Darling is more than a backdrop; it is an active force shaping the characters' choices and identities. Gossip, bullying, and collective grief create an environment where forgiveness is nearly impossible, forcing Beth and Chase to fight for their right to move on.

The "One Small Thing" Motif

Chase's practice of focusing on one small, positive thing each day becomes a central metaphor for survival and resilience. This motif structures the narrative, offering a counterpoint to the overwhelming weight of grief and guilt, and guiding both characters toward healing.

Secrets, Revelations, and Perspective Shifts

The story relies on secrets—Chase's identity, Jeff's abuse, Rachel's unhappiness—to drive tension and character development. As these truths come to light, characters are forced to reevaluate their beliefs and relationships, leading to growth and change.

Cycles of Rebellion and Control

Beth's acts of rebellion and her parents' increasing control create a cycle of escalation that mirrors the larger themes of the novel. The narrative structure uses these cycles to build tension and highlight the necessity of communication, trust, and letting go.

Analysis

"One Small Thing" is a powerful exploration of grief, guilt, and the possibility of forgiveness in the aftermath of tragedy. Erin Watt crafts a nuanced portrait of a family and community paralyzed by loss, showing how the refusal to move on can destroy the living as surely as it honors the dead. Through Beth and Chase's intertwined journeys, the novel interrogates the limits of blame and the courage required to choose hope over fear. The story's insistence on finding "one small thing" to be grateful for each day is both a survival strategy and a profound lesson in resilience. In a world that demands perfection and punishes mistakes, "One Small Thing" argues for the messy, painful, but ultimately redemptive work of healing, self-acceptance, and love. The novel's message is clear: the past shapes us, but it does not have to define us, and even in the darkest moments, there is always something worth holding on to.

Last updated: May 2, 2025